Luz Rivas (CA-29)

Biography

Luz Maria Rivas, born on February 6, 1974, in Los Angeles, California, is an engineer, educator, and public servant. Raised in the Northeast San Fernando Valley by a single mother who worked multiple jobs, Rivas developed an early interest in technology and engineering. She attended San Fernando High School, where she graduated with honors. In 2012, she founded DIY Girls, a nonprofit organization dedicated to encouraging young girls in the San Fernando Valley to pursue careers in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics . Rivas served in the California State Assembly from 2018 to 2024, representing the 39th and later the 43rd districts. In 2025, she was elected to the U.S. House of Representatives, becoming the first Latina to represent California's 29th Congressional District and the only Latina in Congress with a STEM background.

Education

• *Massachusetts Institute of Technology *: Bachelor of Science in Electrical Engineering, 1995.
• Harvard University: Master of Education, 2003.

Political Experience

• California State Assembly: Elected in 2018, served until 2024.
  • Chair of the Assembly Committee on Natural Resources.
  • Member of the Assembly Committees on Budget; Revenue and Taxation; Communications and Conveyance.
• U.S. House of Representatives: Elected in 2025 to represent California's 29th Congressional District.
  • Elected by peers as the Freshman Leadership Representative for the 119th Congress.
  • Appointed to the House Committee on Natural Resources and the Committee on Science, Space, and Technology.
  • Member of the Congressional Hispanic Caucus, Congressional Progressive Caucus, and the Democratic Women’s Caucus.

Notable Achievements

• DIY Girls: Founded in 2012, the nonprofit has helped thousands of young women in the San Fernando Valley become interested in STEM fields through educational experiences and mentorship.
• Environmental Legislation: As Chair of the Assembly Committee on Natural Resources, Rivas co-authored the Plastic Pollution Prevention Act and authored legislation to combat extreme heat and require climate education in schools.
• Community Investment: Secured over $70 million in state funding for infrastructure, education, and healthcare projects in the San Fernando Valley during her tenure in the California State Assembly.

Rivas continues to advocate for environmental justice, STEM education, and the empowerment of underrepresented communities in her role as a U.S. Representative.